Peace march aims at gang violence and crime

SANTA ANA – In rhythm with a loud thumping sound of a bass drum, more than 100 people from about 25 churches and community organizations marched on Saturday morning in a quest for peace in Santa Ana’s neighborhoods.

Marchers held signs reading “Peace March,” and greeted curious residents with friendly smiles as they weaved along busy city streets from Valley High School toward the annual Townsend Raitt Street Fiesta and Health Resource Fair. Cars honked in support, while a couple of young children stopped dribbling a soccer ball to lean against a fence and peer at marchers walking by.

Despite the warm weather, the marchers were determined to shine a ray of light on the crime and violence overshadowing the city’s sense of community.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s annual crime report released in June, Santa Ana — the second-largest city in the county — saw fewer homicides in 2012, but a 2 percent increase in violent crime.

Rev. Mark Whitlock of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church and co-chair of the event, said the march was a way to show residents that somebody cares about what they are going through. Whitlock also said churches are an important, but sometimes forgotten, resource that takes part in rebuilding the community during times of need.

Churches “often serve as first responders to problems in the community,” like police officers and other city officials, Whitlock said.

Rev. Ariel Meza, a community outreach pastor for Christian Tabernacle Ministries in downtown Santa Ana, helped organize a similar peace march in early June. He said the marches are not just one-day events, but “the beginning” of gearing residents and city officials toward solving their crime and poverty issues.

“We are using this opportunity and this event to continue dialogue and establish long term goals as a city develops its strategic plan,” Meza said. “We want to be part of those conversations.”

After losing three friends to gang violence, Cinthia Torres of Santa Ana jumped at the opportunity to join the march when it was announced at her church, Christian Tabernacle. The 17-year-old student at Valley High School said she sees a lack of unity on her campus.

“Many people do not like each other,” she said. She said the march could provoke some thought from gangs in the area.

“I don’t believe innocent lives should be taken away,” Torres said. “God has a purpose for this. We are marching, and He is going to do the rest.”

Santa Ana resident Ria Vigil-Maddock asked marchers to pose as she snapped photos of their signs on her cellular phone. She just arrived home from teaching a fitness class when she saw the string of marchers walking along her street.

“It’s about time,” Vigil-Maddock said. “This area is not safe for the most part… I just want to feel peaceful. I feel apprehensive about my son riding his bike on the street.”

The Orange County Interdenominational Alliance will host a community forum as a follow-up to the peace march at 10 a.m. on Aug. 19 at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, 46 Maxwell in Irvine.